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Rose Bowl Practice Report: Dec. 28

Dec 28, 2014

by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com

Venue: StubHub Center
Format: Full pads

Maybe it was the shining sun and warm weather, maybe it was the rare ability to hit at game speed owing to the fact the Ducks were in full pads this afternoon. Whatever it was, Oregon's practice today featured a noticeably high level of enthusiasm right off the bat.

Guys were dancing to the music during pre-practice stretching, and flying around the field once drills began. "I thought the energy level was really high," linebacker Danny Mattingly said. "Yesterday was down a little bit, and we got a call to pick it up. And I think we did."

Today's practice was one of two prior to Thursday's Rose Bowl that began with a 15-minute period open to the media. Rather than just individual drills, the Ducks actually did some team stuff with media present, including a "clutch" period in which the offense needed a field goal. The play-calling was pretty vanilla, but Jeff Lockie — running the ones for this drill as he has for the last several weeks — completed a pass to Royce Freeman and ran for a nice gain to set up a 51-yard field goal by Aidan Schneider.

The energy level didn't really wane as practice wore on. "Maybe it was being in the sunshine, or that we had a little break so we came off it really excited," said tight end Johnny Mundt, who practiced as well today as I've seen from him all season. "To be able to come out here and compete for a Rose Bowl championship is awesome."

Today's was the first and only practice in Los Angeles for the Ducks in full pads. "You guys are tough," UO coach Mark Helfrich told the team afterward. "We don't need to bang anymore. We need to get smarter."

Stay with me here — today was like a Tuesday on the normal practice schedule, four days before a game. Tomorrow would be a Wednesday, typically in full pads again, but the Ducks will instead treat it like a Thursday, although in shells rather than helmets only. So there could be a little more hitting than a typical walk-through, but not much.

"Like coach said, play smarter," Mattingly said of the goals going forward. "Focus on all our calls. Physically I feel like we're there. I just feel like we could pick it up mentally."

Highlights: The offensive line really stood out during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills, which were fun to watch given that the Ducks were in full pads. Jake Fisher held DeForest Buckner at bay, and Andre Yruretagoyena did the same vs. Henry Mondeaux, as veteran tackles neutralized two guys who typically dominate the drill. … Arik Armstead did win a rep for the defense in pass rush, which followed an 11-on-11 period in which Armstead had a sack and a tackle for loss. … In a later 11-on-11 period, Sam Kamp had a sack and Alex Balducci tipped a pass on consecutive reps.

Other observations: Tight end Pharaoh Brown watched some of practice and was invited up to break the post-practice huddle. … Graduate assistants Joe Bernardi and Mike Keldorf seemed pleased with the looks today from the scout team, which Bernardi and Keldorf help coordinate. Bernardi lauded Eddie Heard a couple times for the way he disguised blitzes; Bernardi also showed off his long-jump ability by enthusiastically leaping into the fray at the end of a play to congratulate Ivan Faulhaber on a tipped pass. At the end of practice, Keldorf yelled out, "Good job today scouts!" … Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Tom Rinaldi and others from ESPN who will help call the game were on hand Sunday. One member of the production crew was wearing a visor from Pacific Dunes golf course on the Oregon coast. … After practice, players prepared to attend the Lawry's Beef Bowl. The team will dress in matching gear, including a pair of Jordan Brand shoes by Nike. Which caused a couple guys to ask aloud, "which ones?" Hashtag, Oregon problems.